The Life and Times of José Rizal
José Protasio Rizal Mercado y
Alonso Realonda stands as one of the Philippines' most revered national heroes,
whose life story reads like an epic journey of intellectual brilliance,
patriotic dedication, and ultimate sacrifice [1][2]. Born into a period of Spanish
colonial rule, Rizal's existence was marked by extraordinary achievements in
literature, medicine, and advocacy for Filipino rights that would ultimately
inspire a nation toward independence [3][4].
Early
Life and Family Background (1861-1872)
Birth and
Ancestry
On June 19, 1861, José Rizal was
born in Calamba, Laguna, the seventh child of Francisco Mercado Rizal and
Teodora Alonso y Quintos [5][1][2]. The Rizal family represented the
affluent ilustrado class, with their thirteen-member household being considered
one of the largest families of their time [6][7]. Rizal's lineage was remarkably
diverse, tracing back to Domingo Lam-co, a full-blooded Chinese immigrant who
arrived in the Philippines in the late 17th century and married Ines de la
Rosa, a Chinese half-breed [6][7]. The family possessed mixed heritage
including Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, Malay, and Negrito blood [6][7].
Early
Childhood and First Influences
Rizal's childhood in Calamba was
characterized by loving parental care and early displays of intellectual
giftedness [8][9]. His first teacher was his mother, Teodora, described as
"a remarkable woman of good character and fine culture" who
discovered her son's talent for poetry and encouraged his literary pursuits [10]. As Jose grew older, his parents employed private tutors
including Maestro Celestino, Maestro Lucas Padua, and later Leon Monroy, a
former classmate of Rizal's father who instructed the boy in Spanish and Latin
until his death five months later [10].
The
Pivotal Year of 1872
The year 1872 marked a turning
point in young Rizal's consciousness when three Filipino priests—Mariano Gomez,
José Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora (collectively known as Gomburza)—were executed
on February 17 on charges of subversion following the Cavite Mutiny [5][11][12]. Although historical evidence suggests that the
eleven-year-old Rizal did not personally witness the execution, the event
profoundly influenced his worldview and would later inspire him to dedicate his
second novel, El Filibusterismo, to
their memory [12][13]. The martyrdom of Gomburza gave birth to the nascent
Propaganda Movement and awakened Filipino nationalism [13].
Education
and Intellectual Formation (1872-1882)
Secondary
Education at Ateneo Municipal
On June 26, 1872, Rizal entered
Ateneo Municipal de Manila as a day scholar [5][14]. Initially, Father Magin Ferrand, the
College Registrar, refused Rizal's admission due to his late registration and
his small, pale appearance for an eleven-year-old [14]. However, with the help of Manuel
Xerez Burgos, nephew of the martyred Fr. José Burgos, Rizal was accepted and
registered under the name "Jose Rizal" [14].
During his five years at Ateneo
(1872-1877), Rizal excelled academically despite the rigid educational system
characterized by rote memorization and strict discipline [15][16]. He became head of his class and received numerous honors,
graduating on March 14, 1877, at age sixteen with a Bachelor of Arts degree and
a general average of sobresaliente
(excellent) [5]. His literary talents emerged early, composing his first
significant poem "Al Niño Jesús" on November 14, 1874 [5].
University
Years at Santo Tomás
On January 6, 1878, Rizal
enrolled in Philosophy and Letters at the University of Santo Tomás (UST),
later adding preparatory medicine on June 2, 1879 [5][17]. His experience at UST proved
challenging due to the hostile environment created by Dominican professors who
discriminated against Filipino students [17]. Despite these obstacles, Rizal
continued his literary pursuits, winning first prize on April 13, 1880, for his
allegory "El consejo de los Dioses" and composing his celebrated poem
"A la juventud filipina" (To the Philippine Youth) on November 22,
1879 [5].
European
Sojourn and Literary Achievements (1882-1887)
First
Journey to Europe
On May 3, 1882, Rizal left the Philippines
for the first time, sailing for Spain using a passport under the name Jose
Mercado, procured by his uncle Antonio Rivera [5][18][19]. His journey took him through
Singapore, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Italy, and France before arriving in Barcelona,
Spain on June 16, 1882 [18][19]. By September 2, 1882, he had moved to
Madrid to pursue his medical studies at Universidad Central de Madrid while
also taking courses in Philosophy and Letters [5][18].
Academic
Pursuits and Medical Degree
Rizal's European education proved
extensive and rigorous. He completed his licentiate in medicine on June 21,
1885, and his degree in Philosophy and Letters on June 19, 1885, both with
grades of sobresaliente [5][18]. To specialize in ophthalmology, he
traveled to Paris in November 1885 and later to Heidelberg, Germany on February
3, 1886, where he studied under renowned German physicians [18][20].
Publication
of Noli Me Tangere
The culmination of Rizal's European
literary efforts came with the publication of Noli Me Tangere on March 21, 1887, in Berlin [5][1][3]. This groundbreaking novel exposed the
dark aspects of Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines, particularly focusing
on the abuses of Catholic friars [3][21]. The book was immediately banned in
the Philippines, though copies were smuggled in, causing such an uproar among
Spanish authorities that Rizal was warned against returning home [3][22].
First
Homecoming and Growing Tensions (1887-1888)
Return to
the Philippines
Despite warnings from his brother
Paciano and other friends, Rizal was determined to return to the Philippines
for several reasons: to operate on his mother's deteriorating eyesight, to
serve his oppressed people, to observe the impact of his writings, and to
inquire about Leonor Rivera's silence [22]. On August 5, 1887, Rizal arrived in
Manila after a five-year absence [5][18].
Brief
Stay and Mounting Pressure
Rizal's homecoming was marked by
both personal joy and political tension. He successfully performed cataract
surgery on his mother's eyes, fulfilling one of his primary reasons for
returning [23]. However, the Spanish authorities' hostility toward him
intensified due to the impact of Noli Me
Tangere, and by February 1888, increasing pressure forced him to leave the
Philippines again [22].
Second
European Period and Continued Advocacy (1888-1892)
The
Propaganda Movement
During his second European
sojourn, Rizal became deeply involved in the Propaganda Movement, a peaceful
campaign for Philippine reforms led by Filipino ilustrados [24][25]. The movement's flagship publication, La Solidaridad, founded on December 13,
1888, served as the voice for Filipino grievances and reform proposals [5][24]. Rizal contributed numerous articles
under the pen name "Laong Laan," advocating for equal treatment of
Filipinos, limiting Spanish friar power, and Philippine representation in the
Spanish Cortes [3][25].
El Filibusterismo and Continued Writings
Rizal completed his second novel,
El Filibusterismo, on March 21, 1891,
though he continued revising chapters [5]. This sequel to Noli Me Tangere painted an even darker picture of colonial
oppression and was specifically dedicated to the memory of Gomburza [21][13]. The novel established Rizal's
reputation as the leading spokesman of the Philippine reform movement [1].
Academic
and Scientific Contributions
Beyond his political writings,
Rizal maintained his scholarly pursuits. His annotations of Antonio Morga's Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas became
widely read, as he sought to demonstrate that Filipinos had a rich history
before Spanish colonization [1]. He also became a member of various
European scientific societies, including the Ethnographic Society of Berlin and
the Anthropological Society [5].
Final
Return and Founding of La Liga Filipina (1892)
Establishment
of La Liga Filipina
Rizal returned to the Philippines
on June 21, 1892, with the intention of establishing a reform organization [5][26]. On July 3, 1892, he founded La Liga Filipina in the house
of Doroteo Ongjunco at Ilaya Street, Tondo, Manila [26]. The organization aimed to unite the
archipelago, provide mutual protection, defend against injustice, and encourage
education, agriculture, and commerce [26].
Immediate
Arrest and Charges
Just four days after founding La
Liga Filipina, Rizal was arrested on July 6, 1892, on multiple charges:
publishing anti-Catholic and anti-friar materials, possessing seditious
handbills, dedicating El Filibusterismo
to the "traitors" Gomburza, and criticizing religion while advocating
its exclusion from Filipino culture [27]. Governor-General Eulogio Despujol
ordered his immediate exile to Dapitan, a remote town in Mindanao [5][27].
Exile in
Dapitan: The Most Productive Years (1892-1896)
Life in
Dapitan
Rizal's four-year exile in
Dapitan, from July 7, 1892, to July 31, 1896, proved to be one of the most
fruitful periods of his life [28][27][29]. Despite the isolation, he transformed
his exile into an opportunity for community service and personal growth [27][30]. He established a school for local boys, practiced
medicine, engaged in scientific research, and implemented numerous community
development projects [28][27].
Relationship
with Josephine Bracken
In February 1895, Rizal met
Josephine Bracken, who had accompanied her adoptive father George Taufer to
Dapitan seeking treatment for Taufer's eye condition [5][31][23]. The relationship between the
34-year-old Rizal and the 18-year-old Josephine blossomed into love, though
they could not marry in the Catholic Church due to Rizal's conflicts with
church officials [31][23]. Josephine bore a premature son who
died shortly after birth, causing great grief to both parents [23].
Scientific
and Literary Work
During his exile, Rizal continued
his scientific pursuits, corresponding with European scholars and collecting
specimens of local flora and fauna [29]. He invented a wooden machine for
making bricks, engaged in farming and commerce, and maintained extensive
correspondence with family, fellow reformists, and European scientists [29]. His poem "Mi Retiro" (My Retreat), sent to his
mother on October 22, 1895, reflected his contemplative state during this period
[5].
The Road
to Martyrdom (1896)
The
Revolutionary Tide
By 1896, the reform movement had
given way to revolutionary fervor. The Katipunan, a secret society founded by
Andrés Bonifacio in February 1892, was dedicated to achieving Philippine
independence through armed struggle [5][32]. On July 1, 1896, Pío Valenzuela
visited Rizal in Dapitan to inform him of the impending revolution, though
Rizal advised against premature action [5][32].
Application
to Serve in Cuba
Seeking to leave his exile
honorably, Rizal applied to serve as a military doctor in Cuba, where a yellow
fever epidemic was raging [5][32]. On July 30, 1896, he received
approval for his application [5]. However, the outbreak of the
Philippine Revolution on August 23, 1896, with the Cry of Pugadlawin,
dramatically changed his circumstances [5][2].
Arrest
and Return to Manila
On September 4, 1896, while
aboard a ship bound for Spain, Rizal received news implicating him as the
intellectual author of the Philippine Revolution [5][2]. Spanish authorities ordered his
arrest en route, and he was returned to Manila to face trial [5][32]. Despite having no direct involvement
in planning the revolution, Rizal was charged with rebellion, sedition, and
conspiracy [2][33].
Trial,
Final Days, and Execution (December 1896)
The
Military Trial
Rizal's trial began on December
11, 1896, presided over by Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade, who served as both
prosecutor and defender [5][33]. The Spanish prosecution presented
documentary evidence and testimonies against Rizal, while he maintained his
innocence, denying any involvement in the revolution or knowledge of the
Katipunan's activities [33]. The trial was brief and largely
predetermined, with little opportunity for genuine defense [32].
Final
Literary Legacy
During his final days in Fort
Santiago, Rizal wrote a manifesto to the Filipinos urging them to stop the
revolution, though Spanish authorities refused to publish it [5]. On December 29, 1896, he composed his most famous poem,
initially untitled but later known as "Mi último adiós" (My Last
Farewell), which he concealed in an alcohol stove and passed to his sister
Trinidad [5][34].
Marriage
to Josephine Bracken
On the evening before his
execution, Rizal allegedly reconciled with the Catholic Church and married
Josephine Bracken in a religious ceremony officiated by Father Vicente Balaguer
between 5:00 and 6:00 AM on December 30, 1896 [31][23]. However, this marriage remains
disputed, as no official records were found despite testimonies from Bracken
and the officiating priest [31].
Execution
On December 30, 1896, at 7:03 AM,
José Rizal was executed by firing squad at Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park) [5][2][35]. His execution took place not far from
where Gomburza had been martyred 24 years earlier [12]. That afternoon, his sister Narcisa
discovered a newly dug grave at Paco Cemetery and marked it with a marble
plaque bearing Rizal's initials in reverse [5].
Legacy
and Historical Impact
Catalyst
for Independence
Rizal's martyrdom convinced
Filipinos that there was no alternative to independence from Spain [1]. His execution filled the rebels with new determination and
transformed him from a reformist into a symbol of Philippine nationalism [32]. The ideals he championed through his writings and
sacrifice became the foundation for the continuing struggle for independence [24].
Literary
and Intellectual Contributions
Rizal's novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo are considered the national epic of the
Philippines, providing a searing indictment of colonial abuse while
articulating Filipino aspirations for justice and equality [2][4]. His diverse intellectual contributions
as physician, linguist, scientist, and writer established him as a Renaissance
figure whose influence extended far beyond his brief 35-year life [1][2].
National
Recognition
In 1901, American Governor-General
William Howard Taft officially named Rizal a Philippine national hero, and on
February 1, 1902, the Philippine Commission enacted Act No. 345, declaring
December 30 as Rizal Day [35]. Today, Rizal Day is observed as a
national holiday commemorating his life and sacrifice for Philippine freedom [35].
José Rizal's life story
represents the journey of a nation awakening to its own identity and potential.
From his privileged birth in Calamba to his execution in Bagumbayan, every
chapter of his existence was marked by an unwavering commitment to his people's
welfare and dignity. His legacy endures not merely in the monuments erected in
his honor, but in the continuing Filipino struggle for justice, equality, and
national pride that he so eloquently articulated and courageously embodied.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. (n.d.). José Rizal: Biography, education, works, full name, & facts. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jose-Rizal
- José Rizal. (2025, May 9). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/José_Rizal
- Biography.com Editors. (2021, May 3). José Rizal biography. Biography.com. A&E Television Networks. https://www.biography.com/political-figures/josé-rizal
- José Rizal. (2025, April 7). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jose_rizal
- Timeline of Rizal's life. (n.d.). Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/document/433656790/Timeline-of-Rizal-s-Life
- Jose Rizal family. (n.d.). JoseRizal.com. https://www.joserizal.com/jose-rizal-family/
- Genealogy and early life of Rizal [Video]. (n.d.). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNi7ouRuXpY
- Rizal: Childhood years in Calamba. (n.d.). SlideShare. https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/childhood-years-in-calamba/79039500
- Childhood years in Calamba. (n.d.). Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/document/59564374/Childhood-Years-in-Calamba
- José Rizal's early education in Calamba and Biñan. (n.d.). Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/document/570700174/JOSE-RIZALS-EARLY-EDUCATION-IN-CALAMBA-AND-BINAN-1
- Gomburza. (n.d.). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gomburza
- Ocampo, A. R. (2023, February 17). Gomburza and Rizal's execution. Philippine Daily Inquirer. https://opinion.inquirer.net/161124/gomburza-and-rizals-execution
- Martin, B. (n.d.). How did the Gomburza execution affect Rizal? Biosidmartin. https://biosidmartin.com/how-did-the-gomburza-execution-affect-rizal/
- Rizal studies in Ateneo and UST. (n.d.). StudoCu. University of Santo Tomas. https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/university-of-santo-tomas/life-and-works-of-rizal/rizal-studies-in-ateneo-and-ust/85751105
- Jose Rizal education life in ATENEO and UST. (n.d.). SlideShare. https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/jose-rizal-education-life-in-ateneo-and-ustpptx/267567898
- Rizal's higher education in Ateneo and UST. (n.d.). Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/presentation/446467918/Rizal-s-Higher-Education-in-Ateneo-and-UST
- Rizal - Education - UST. (n.d.). Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/document/501277770/Rizal-Education-Ust
- Geronimo, S. (n.d.). Chronology of Rizal's travels. StudyMode. https://www.studymode.com/essays/Chronology-Of-Rizal's-Travels-1075204.html
- Chapter six: Rizal's trips abroad and homecomings. (n.d.). BSHMJoseRizal. https://bshmjoserizal.weebly.com/our-hero-jose-rizal/chapter-six-rizals-trips-abroad-and-homecomings
- Lopez, J. C. (n.d.). Timeline of Rizal travels in Europe. Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/document/507600568/TIMELINE-OF-RIZAL-TRAVELS-IN-EUROPE
- Rizal's two novels. (n.d.). SlideShare. https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/rizals-two-novels/249921265
- Rizal's return in the Philippines. (n.d.). Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/presentation/504937999/RIZAL-S-RETURN-IN-THE-PHILIPPINES
- National Historical Commission of the Philippines. (n.d.). A glimpse into the life of Josephine Bracken. NHCP. https://nhcp.gov.ph/a-glimpse-into-the-life-of-josephine-bracken/
- The Propaganda Movement and La Solidaridad. (n.d.). Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/presentation/406985452/The-Propaganda-Movement-and-La-Solidaridad
- Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. (n.d.). Propaganda Movement. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Propaganda-Movement
- La Liga Filipina. (n.d.). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Liga_Filipina
- Chapter eight: José P. Rizal's exile in Dapitan (1892-1896). (n.d.). BSHMJoseRizal. https://bshmjoserizal.weebly.com/our-hero-jose-rizal/chapter-eight-jose-p-rizals-exile-in-dapitan-1892-1896
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